Why Are People Moving to Contra Costa County?
Why More Bay Area Residents Are Moving to Contra Costa County
A quiet migration is reshaping the Bay Area, and Contra Costa County is at the center of it.
In recent years, thousands of Bay Area residents have packed up and headed east—not out of California, but just across the hills—to Contra Costa County. This growing wave of inter-urban migration is changing the makeup of communities from Orinda to Livermore and fueling steady demand in the East Bay housing market.
Where the New Residents Are Coming From
The majority of newcomers to Contra Costa County are arriving from within the Bay Area itself. The largest share comes from Alameda County, followed by San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara Counties. Between 2015 and 2019 alone, Contra Costa experienced a net gain of more than 9,000 residents from Alameda County and 3,500 from San Francisco, numbers that have continued trending upward in recent years.
The Driving Force: Housing Affordability
One of the main motivators for this eastward shift is simple economics. Home prices and rents in Contra Costa County remain significantly more affordable than in the urban cores of San Francisco and Silicon Valley. This allows buyers and renters to stay within commuting distance of major job centers while enjoying larger homes, quieter neighborhoods, and a better overall cost of living.
New residential developments in Concord, Antioch, Brentwood, and Pittsburg are helping meet this growing demand, giving families and professionals more opportunities to buy within the region rather than relocating entirely out of the Bay Area.
The Appeal of Top Public Schools
Another powerful draw for families making the move is access to high-performing public schools. In San Francisco and the Peninsula, many families feel pressure to rely on private education. By contrast, communities in central Contra Costa County and southern Alameda County are home to several Blue Ribbon public schools, giving parents quality education options without the added cost of private tuition.
A Regional Migration Pattern
Recent data shows that nearly 35% of new Contra Costa residents come from other California counties, most of them from within the Bay Area. This makes Contra Costa a key recipient of population redistribution within the region. Rather than leaving the Bay Area altogether, many households are simply relocating to communities that balance affordability, amenities, and access to quality schools.
The Bottom Line
As long as housing costs remain steep in San Francisco and Silicon Valley, the trend toward eastward migration is likely to continue. Contra Costa County has become the destination of choice for Bay Area residents seeking more space, better schools, and a lifestyle that still keeps them connected to the region’s vibrant economic core. As East Bay real estate professionals, we’ve seen firsthand how affordability, schools, and lifestyle continue to drive demand across Contra Costa County communities.
For many, it’s not about leaving the Bay Area...it’s about finding a better way to live within it.
Quick Answer:
Many people are moving to Contra Costa County for more affordable housing, strong public schools, quieter neighborhoods, and the ability to remain within commuting distance of major Bay Area job centers.